Hessler's Mailbag

December 22, 2002

TIM M. (Williamsburg). I read your article about DirecTV (last Sunday). Granted there is a lot of free football to be watched on Sundays, but not necessarily games I want to see. I am an Eagles fan living in a sea of Redskins fans in Williamsburg. The only way for me to see all 16 (Eagles) games is to pay $179. Divided by 16, I find it very fair.

HESSLER. It is very fair, especially when you consider boxing promoter Don King charges $50 for his two-round bombs on pay- per-view.

FRANKLIN T. (Chesapeake). Do you think (Redskins coach) Steve Spurrier will be back next year after this disastrous season? I remember how bold and arrogant he and the people in Washington were the day he was hired. I wish I had kept on file some of the things they said.

HESSLER. Yes, he will be back. Don't worry about the other thing. I kept a list of some of the bold and arrogant things that were said. I plan to run a list after the season, but I'll give you a sneak preview. Spurrier: "Our offense will finish ranked in the top five in the league. You can count on that.'' Can you count to 24?

ASHBASH. It looks like we (the Redskins) will get a good draft pick this year. Do you think they will draft a wide receiver in the first round? If so, I hope we can get somebody like Charles Rogers (Michigan State) or Roy Williams (Texas).

HESSLER. At the moment the Redskins have the 10th pick, and it would be a reach to take a receiver that high. Washington desperately needs two safeties, a defensive end, a defensive tackle, two offensive linemen and perhaps a running back and offensive tackle. But if Spurrier is to live or die in the NFL playing pitch-and-catch, he may go after somebody who can catch. Add Miami's Andre Johnson to the list of top receiving candidates. All three are juniors. Williams has said he is not leaving early for the NFL.